Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Huh.
Maybe the kid did have some Costa in him after all.
It was a short ride to Brio’s place, where we were greeted by no fewer than seven dogs of all different sizes and temperaments.
I thought everyone had been exaggerating about Brio’s involvement with a local shelter. But it seemed like they were underselling it.
“Kids love dogs,” Brio said, watching Charlotte try to pet all of the dogs equally so no one felt left out. A bleeding heart—that was my Charlotte. I could only pray the city let her keep that.
Even grumpy Liam softened at a droopy-eared, white-faced, tricolor Basset Hound who climbed up on the couch next to him, then flopped back into his chest.
“I know what you’re doing,” I said, shaking my head at Brio. “We’re not ready for a dog.”
“They’re good for mental health, that’s all I’m saying.”
“If that was true, wouldn’t you be a lot more fucking sane?” I shot back.
Brio’s smile was warm as he passed me a whiskey.
The front door slammed, and all the dogs stiffened, then ran toward the front hall just as Alara’s voice rang through the house.
“I know your game, Brio,” she called. “And I’m not taking another dog home, even if Tuna does like it. Which he won’t. Because he’s a moody little ass—oh,” she broke off, spotting Charlotte first, then Liam, and finally me. “An… ass-tronomically happy only child,” she finished.
“Nice try,” I said, shooting a smile in her direction. “They can handle the word ‘asshole,’ if that was what you were going for.”
“He is. An asshole. I would say in a lovable way, but he… hey!” I followed her gaze to watch her little rat of a dog hop up on the couch next to Liam and proceed to scratch his chest for attention. “You little traitor, you. You’ve never begged for my attention. And I’m the keeper of the treats. Shit.” She winced as all the dogs went batshit at the ’T’ word.
“Okay. Treats in the kitchen,” Brio called, likely just to gain control over the chaos.
All the dogs fell in line.
Except Tuna.
Who was now Liam’s lapdog.
“Yeah, I see you,” Alara called to the dog who was watching her with a very smug look. If dogs could have smug looks.
“Guys, this is Alara,” I introduced. “Alara, this is Charlotte and Liam.”
“And that is Tuna Roll the Traitor Trash Dog.”
“She your girlfriend?” Liam, looking to start shit, declared, judging by the smirk tugging at his lips.
“She’s probably family,” Charlotte whisper-yelled at him.
“You think I’ve had enough time to find a girlfriend since moving back here?” I asked Liam. “And she’s family-in-law. Alara is Ezmeray’s sister.”
“Not technically a Costa. The universe hates me that way,” Alara declared. “So, are you in the market for a dog? Because he looks like he is self-adopting himself to you.”
“Don’t let her fool you,” Brio said, coming back with a line of much calmer dogs. “She loves that dog. He’s got a better wardrobe than she does.”
“Do I hear my baby sister?” Ezmeray asked, coming in from the kitchen.
“Hey, Ez. Need some help in the kitchen?”
“So you can burn it down? No, I’m good, thanks. I didn’t realize you knew Christopher.”
“Me and Chrissy? We’re old friends,” Alara declared, slapping me on the arm.
Ezmeray’s brows pinched at that.
“And by ‘old friends’ she means we met two weeks ago. And she may or may not have threatened me with a gun.”
“Oh, please. I was holding a gun. Not threatening you with it.”
“I remember threats.”
“Then you need a cognitive test, old man. You’d know if I was threatening you. I’m very good at it. It would involve something very punchy and visual. Exsanguination, at least.”
“Or a piano wire garrote?” I asked.
Alara’s lips twitched for a second before curving into a smile. “Exactly.”
Suddenly very aware of both Ezmeray and Charlotte watching us with matching looks I couldn’t quite decipher, I tried to go for casual.
“I took over for Leo in the area where the pawnshop is,” I explained, choosing my words carefully in front of the kids. “Brio didn’t mention it?”
Ezmeray shot her husband a look.
Brio winced. “I was… at the office,” he explained.
The office.
That was what he was calling his torture room these days. I guess when you had kids, you had to be careful.
“I see,” Ezmeray said. “Well, it’s nice that you two met. Gun aside. Why were you holding a gun?” she asked.
“An abundance of caution.”
“Dunno if I like the sound of that,” Brio said. “What was going on?”
“Nothing that I can’t handle.” I didn’t know if her sister and brother-in-law were buying that. But I suddenly got the feeling she wasn’t being entirely truthful. I wasn’t going to call her out around her family. I made a mental note to pay a little closer attention the next time I went to the pawnshop.
“Brio, help me for a minute?” Ezmeray asked.